Greenwood The Middle East in Turmoil: Conflict, Revolution, and Change (Hot Spot Histories)

From Islamic extremism in Algeria to civil war in Iraq, this volume provides in-depth coverage of political and cultural conflict in the Middle East. Since the end of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, conflict in the Middle East has been increasingly wrought with internal struggles, driven by ethnic, inter-communal, and religious differences. Islamic radicalism has grown as an internal threat, and foreign intervention is now a potential catalyst. Since 1990, the Middle East has twice witnessed the introduction of foreign armies, first to halt Iraqi expansionism, and more recently, to bring about regime change in Iraq. This perfect storm of factors has brought about a heightened level of instability, with numerous conflicts simmering in hot spots throughout the region. Explosive, in-depth chapters explore each conflict or latent conflict, including the history, the nature of the conflict, the factors involved, and any steps toward resolution. Hot spots covered include: The movement for Berber rights in Morocco; Shi'a opposition in Bahrain; Iraqi civil war and internal struggle for power; Iran's interstate conflict with the United States; and Islamic insurgency throughout the region. This volume is a must-have for up-to-the-minute coverage of hot spots in one of the world's most volatile regions. Supplies an introductory chapter that describes the critical factors that have shaped Middle East politics over the past half century, providing a lead-in to the complex discussions for non-expert readers Assesses the potential sources of internal conflicts and division within individual countries or subregions as well as its external conflicts, thereby identifying the links between these internal and external points of contention Specifically addresses Egypt, the Gulf states, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, the Maghreb, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen in dedicated chapters Recognizes and explains the prominent role of nonstate actors―including national liberation movements, transnational political movements, militant political parties, and terrorist organizations―and of foreign powers in determining Middle East politics Review A thoughtful, in-depth analysis of Middle East conflicts for faculty, researchers, students, and practitioners.-- " Choice" Habeeb's viewpoint is fairly evenhanded and accessible to lay readers. His clear portrayal of the situations and the countries involved will appeal most to those seeking a broader understanding of the Middle East, past and present. It is also suitable for those trying to understand where the region is headed.-- " Library Journal" About the Author William Mark Habeeb has worked in international affairs for over 20 years. He specializes in conflict resolution and Middle East affairs. His extensive published works include Power and Tactics in International Negotiation: How Weak Nations Bargain with Strong Nations; Polity and Society in Contemporary North Africa; and numerous book chapters and journal articles. Habeeb has also served as an editorial consultant to the United Nations.